Nelda Fern Wilson

Posted Dec 4, 2018

Nelda Fern Wilson, age 75, of Globe, Ariz., passed away on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 at her residence in Globe. She was born in Santaquin, Utah on July 12, 1943. She was the daughter of Lilas Fern (Dickinson) and Vernon Leon LeFevre.

Her father was an underground miner, which resulted in them traveling frequently for work. This led them to the Globe-Miami area.

Nelda met the love of her life, Jim Wilson, and they were married on Nov. 21, 1961. Their favorite thing to do was dance. They had three children, Vicky, Penny and Terry. As a family, they enjoyed activities such as hunting, fishing, boating, waterskiing, camping at the lake and in the White Mountains, and NASCAR. Nelda was a stay-at-home mother until her children were teenagers and dedicated all of her time to her family. She also enjoyed bowling and won many trophies over the years with her league.

In October of 2000, Nelda lost her loving husband Jim. She then spent many years with family which included her six grandchildren, Heather Holyoak Hanson, Tyler Holyoak, Marissa Wilson, Tim Gilmore, James Gilmore and Gwen Ozuna. She enjoyed attending all of their sporting events, graduations, talks at church, and any other special occasions they were involved in and never missed a single one. She was also an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

In her later years, Nelda moved next door to her daughter Penny where she was able to be closer to her family and grandchildren. She loved to play games and watch and attend NASCAR with her family. She loved to laugh and joke and even into her later years was very witty and full of humor. Nothing was ever good enough or okay unless her son-in-law Gary Holyoak said so. He was a big part of taking care of her and her needs right up to the end.

She passed away on Nov. 24, 2018 in the comfort of her home with her family by her side. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to everyone around her and is a great example of always being present and never missing out on any of life’s best memories. Nelda will be missed dearly, but we can rest assured that she is finally in heaven dancing away with her loving husband yet again. Rest in peace, God bless you, we will always miss you.

Nelda was preceded in death by her loving husband Jim Wilson, parents Leon and Lilas LeFevre, and her brother Ross LeFevre.

She is survived by her children, Penny Holyoak (Gary) Vicky Speer and Terry Wilson, her sister Paula Steinke (David), her brother M.Dee Lefevre (Sue), six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation took place on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018 at the LDS Stake Center in Globe. Funeral was held at the Stake Center.